Piano with tone modulators



Aug. v1l, 1931. J. H. HAMMOND, JR 1,818,709

' PIANO WITH ToN'E'MoDULAToRs Filed Dec.` ll, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet4 l /28/27 /Z /25 124 /23 /ZZ AU8 l1, 1931- J. H. HAMMOND, JR 1,818,709

PIANO WITH TONE MoDULAToRs Filed Dec. ll, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet. 2

Aug. 11, 1931. J. H. HAMMOND. JR

PIANO WITH TONE MODULATORS Filed Deo. ll, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet` 3Patented Aug. 11, 1931 'JOHN HAYS HAMMOND, JR., OF GLOUCESTER,MASSACHUSETTS 'PIANO 4WITH TON-E MODULATORS Application lcd December 11,1928,. Serial No. 325.282.

This invention relates to musical instruments of the lpercussive type,and more particularly, to a new and improved electrically operatedmechanism for controlling the tone y thereof.

The quality of the music produced by a musical instrument such as apiano can be very greatly enhanced by providing a sound insulated casingfor the instrument with controllable apertures therein for regulatingthe volume of sound emitted from the instrument. Furthermore, aninstrument so equipped can be made to produce a `variety of noveleffects, andcan be employed to advantage in combination with symphonicorchestras. I have discovered that when a plurality of closures arearranged in different positions with respect to the sounding board andthe strings, the sound emitted through the respective apertures differsin quality and timbre, and I have found that when the apertures and theclosures therefor are arranged to be opened successively the control ofthe tone dynamics is greatly improved, and the attractiveness of themusic is very greatly increased. Broadly stated, the present inventionrelates to an improved musical. instrument for producing these noveleffects.

An object of the present invention is to provide a simplified controlfor varying the tone of the musical instrument.

Another object is to' provide electrical means for controlling the toneof a piano provided with variable shutters.

A further object is to provide, in a piano having a plurality ofvariable reflectors, electrical means for successively operati-ng saidreflectors.

The above objects and others which will be apparent as the nature of theinvention is disclosed, are accomplished by providing a solenoid inoperative relationship to each of the several reflectors andsuccessively centrolling the operation of the solenoids by a multiplecontact switch which is operated by a foot pedal of the piano. Thereflectors are preferably divided into two groups at the upper and lowerportions respectively of the piano and are so arranged that the variousunits of the top group are successively closed before .the units of thelower group have op- `erated.

The invention also consists in certain new and original features of`'construction and combinations of arts hereinafter set forth o andclaimed.

appended hereto, the invention itself,as.to its objects and advantages,the mode of its operation and the manner of .its korganization may bebetter understood vby referring to the following description taken yinconnection with the accompanying drawings forming a .G5 part thereof, inwhich Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a .piano constructed in accordancewith the present i11- vention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof; 70

Fig. 3 is ascheniatic diagramshowing the solenoids and the electricalcontrol circuits; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary front elevation partly in section, showing thearrangement of the electrical circuits vtogether with the pedal controlmechanism.

, Lilie reference characters denote like parts inthe several figuresofthe drawings.

In the following description and inthe claims parts will be identifiedby specific 4naines for convenience, but they `are intended to be asgeneric in theirapplication to similar parts as the art will permit. l

In the .form of the invention shown in the 4accompanying figures, thesystem is applied to a grand piano 10 which is provided withzthe usualstrings 11 mounted in a frame 12 (Fig. 4),. The strings 11 andthe frame12 are located above the sounding board 13 which divides the interiorofthe piano into two sound chambers Maud 15, the former located above`and the latter located below said sounding which tends to prevent theescape of the sound from the interior of the piano.

On the under side of the piano 10 is secured a block 22 from which aresuspended two upriglits 23 and 24 which carry at their lower end a pedalblock 25. Mounted in the block are three pedals 26, 2T and 28, the lasttwo controlling the sustenuto and loud pedal action of the pianorespectively.

rlhe pedal 26 is connected to a rod 29, the upper end of which engagesone arm of a bell crank 31 which is pivoted for rotation in a bracket32. The other arm of the bell crank 31 is slidably secured incylindrical member 33 which is rotatably mounted on a rod 3l ofinsulating material, carrying' a. conducting' strip 3S, and is held inplace by means of a plate 35 which is secured to said rod. rlhe rod 311is slidably mounted in two brackets 41 and Zl2 which are secured to theunder-side of the piano 10 and is held in the position shown by means ofa spring 36 which is secured to a bracket 37 attached to the block 22.Said brackets 41 and 42 carry a bar of insulating material 43 upon whichare mounted 17 contacts ad to 60. The contacts la to 59 are connected to16 conductors 64 to 79 which go to the windings of 16 solenoids 84.- to99. The other sides of' the windings of these solenoids are connected bya plurality of conductors to a common return conductor 101 which isconnected to one side of a battery 102, the other side of which isconnected by a conductor 103 to the contact 60.

Each solenoid is mounted in a frame 104 which is rotatably mounted on apivot 105 which is carried by the frame of the piano 10. Said solenoidsare provided with cores 106 to which are rigidly secured collars 10Tbetween which and the solenoids are mount ed springs 108. The cores 106of the solenoids pass through screw eyes 109 which are secured to aplurality of pivoted reflectors 114 to 129.

Reflector-s 11s to 121 are pivotally mounted for rotation about theirlongitudinal axes in the lower` part of the framework of the piano andthe refiectors 122 to 129 are mounted for rotation about theirlongitudinal axes in the upper part of the framework of the piano. Atthe front and rear ends of the lower set of reflectors are mounted twoplates 131 and 132 which serve to close the lower portion of the pianobelow the .sounding board so that when the lower set of reflectors isclosed there will be formed a sound chamber below the sounding board. Atthe front and rear ends of the upper set of reflectors are mounted twoplates 133 to 134 which serve to close the upper portion of the pianoabove the sounding board so that when the upper set of reflectors isclosed there will be formed a sound chamber above the sounding boardcontaining` the strings et' the piano.

In the operation of the form of the invention j ust described, when thepedal 26 is depressed, the rod 29 will be ele vated thereby rotating thebell crank 31 in a counter clockwise direction, thus moving?,` the rod3l to the left. This motion causes the conducting strip 3S tosuccessively engage the contacts 60 to 4111. thus successivelyenergizing` the sclenoids 99' to Sel. As each solenoid is energized, itcauses its core to be moved inwardly against the action of the spring103 thus causing the corresiionding; reflector to be closed. ln this wayas the pedal 26 is depressed, the reflectors will be successively closedstarting;l with the one at the top in the rear of the piano and closing`the top set successively after which the bottom set is closedsuccessively starting with the one at the rear until the reflectors a rnentirely closed.

lllhen the pedal 26 is released the spring 36 will tend to move the rod3st to the right, thus successively breaking contact between the strip33 and the contacts il to 60. This causes the solenoids 3-'1- to 99 tobe deenergized successively and after each solenoid is deenergized thecorresponding spring 103 will cause the core to move outwardly, therebyopening' the corresponding reflector. In 'this way, as the pressure onthe pedal 26 is decreased, the reflectors will be successively openedstartingl with the lower front and linishing with the upper rear.

By suitably controlling the pedal 26 the musician may modify the soundand cause delicate variations of the sound intensity transmitted fromany desired part of the instrument, and thus impart agreeable variationsin quality to the music. By carefully adjusting and controlling thepedal, the qualities of directly transmitted sound. or of rcflectedsound, may be imparted in desired proportions.

`While certain novel features et the invention have been shown anddescribed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will beunderstood that various omissions, substitu` tions and changes in theforms and details ot the device illustrated and in its operation may bemade by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

That is claimed is:

1. A modulating system for a musical instrument comprising a tonemodulating` control device, a plurality of tone reflectors arranged ondifferent sides of said instrument for variably controlling the volumeof sound emitted from the instrument in different directions, electricalmeans for independently operating said reflectors and means for successively operating said electrical means for closing or opening saidreflectors.

2. A modulating` system for a perciu" musical instrument, comprising aplu. of tone reflectors arranged on different aides ice of saidinstrument for variably controlling the volume of sound emitted from theinstrument in different directions, and electrical means including asystem of electro-magnetic elements for successively operating saidreflectors.

3. A modulating system for a musical instrument comprising a pluralityof tone reflectors arranged in grou s, electromagnetic means foroperating eac of said tone rcfiectors independently, control circuitsfor said electromagnetic means, and means for successively energizingsaid circuits for closing said reflectors and successively deenergiz ingsaid circuits for opening said reflectors.

Ll. A modulating` system for a. musical instrument comprising aplurality of tone refiectors arranged in groups, electromagnetic meansfor independently operating said reflectors, and a control means forsuccessively operating each of said electromagnetic means whereby saidgroups of tone reflectors are operated in sequence.

5. A musical instrument having a vibratory sound producing element, asubstantially sound proof casing having controllable apertures arrangedon di'erent sides of said instrument for controlling the emission ofsound from said element in different directions, a plurality of tonereflectors for variably closing said apertures, means for normallymaintaining said reflectors in open position, electromagnetic meansassociated with each of said refiectors, control circuits therefor, acontact associated with each circuit and a switch for successivelyopening or closing said contacts.

6. A modulating system for a musical instrument comprising a pluralityof resonating chambers, a plurality of sound wave refiectors forvariably and independently controlling the volume of sound emitted fromdifferent resonating chambers, a tone modulating pedal, an electricalcontroller operated thereby, electromagnetic devices associated withsaid reflectors and circuits interconnecting said controller and saidelectromagnetic devices whereby said reflectors may be controlled by theposition of said pedal.

7 In a percussive instrument having vibrating strings, resonatingchambers above and below said strings, a plurality of variablerefiectors forming a closure for said chambers, means 'for successivelyopening said reflectors beginning with the refiectors at one end of oneof said chambers and ending with the reflectors at the opposite end ofthe other of said chambers, and means for successively closing saidreflectors in opposite sequence.

8. In a grand piano, a casing forming sound chambers above and below thesounding board thereof, reflectors mounted in the top and bottom of saidcasing for variably closing said chambers, means for successivelyoperating said refiectors beginning at a refiector at one end of thelower group and ending at a reflector at the opposite end of the othergroup, and means for successively closing said reflectors in oppositesequence.

9. In a piano, a casing forming sound chambers on opposite sides of thesounding board, groups of reflectors forming closures for each of saidchambers, means for operating said groups in sequence whereby therefiectors of one of said groups are opened prior to the operati-on ofthe other of said groups, and means for closing said refiectors inopposite sequence.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JOHN HAYS HAMMOND, JR.

